SPEEDTRIPLE

Wow, what a fabulous thread. Karen and i had Monday and Tuesday off this week, Monday saw me breaking my back digging tree roots out of the front garden, while Tuesday saw us driving up to Yeovilton RNAS museum (sorry we missed you Sue), and noticed the Vulcan was still there on the other side of the airfield. I remember my Brother Trev telling about when he came down here (Dorset) in the late 80s to stay with my Aunt, and went to the Portland Navy day, which included an airshow. He said the Vulcan did a low fly past and stuck its nose into air with full re-heat. He could feel the vibration all over, and he said it set off car alarms, made children cry, and a few adults worry, but it was one of most spectacular sounds you could think of. As for the Concorde, in the Yeovilton museum, they have G-BSST aka Concorde 002 test flown by Brian Trubshaw on pemanent display. We looked on board, but being one of the prototypes, she`s stacked full with test equipment, with only a handfull of seats for the flight test crew. you can see into the cockpit, but can`t gain access due to a perspex screen, but even though i`m average hieght at 5 10, even i could`nt stand up straight, and wondered just exactly how the pilot and first officer could gain acces to their seats. The most bizaare things inside are the 2 escape hatches, one midships of the main cabin, the other just aft of the flight deck. I lnow the one at Duxford has a different shaped escape hatch, but just imagine having to bail out of a Concorde?, probably non survivable at over 600k?. As for the E E Lightning, For my Birthday this year, Karen took me to the Air museum at Tangmere, just east of Chichester. While there, i was having a look at one of their smulators, when one of the (retired) volunteers came over and offered me the chance to have a go, which i took up, then he asked if i`d like to fly in the Lighning simulator. This simulator is a genuine cockpit section of a Lightning, liked to a computer, with a screen in front of you. After i`d made a pigs ear of my flying attempt, i found out the volunteer was actually a former pilot who used to fly Lightnings. Needless to say, i walked away amore than a bit embarrassed at my poor attempt. It`s amazing to think that Britain once led the way in aviation, but now all we play is a minor supporting role, so it`s a great shame that such great aircraft as the Vulcan will not be flying for much longer, and the Concorde (which if still flying and not been killed off due to politics would be flying for another 20 years) and the lightning are no longer seen in our skies. Britain has made many of the finest aircraft in the world, and some of them can be seen at the Duxford (Cambridge) air museum, so if anybody is on the Broads, it`s well worth the trip down the A11 to Cambridge for a visit. I don`t think you`ll be disappointed. The only thing i`m disappointed about Duxford is not having been there enough. Regards to all ........................... Neil.

Hi Peter, it`s not just the Waveney`s charm, don`t forget the Yare and Chet?. Whenever we go up the Yare, we prefer the peace and quiet of Langley dyke, or if you want a pub, Rokland staithe. The moorings on the Chet at Pye`s mill are very popular, as you`re away from traffic noise, and only a 5 minute walk to Rosie Lea`s, and all the other facilities at Loddon. Further up the Yare, mooring at the Coldham hall is well worth considering, as the river can be very busy with boats, or very quiet and peaceful, with the opportunity of a good meal at the pub. It always amazes me when you read peoples holiday tales about when they`ve come down from the north, but for some reason will never hire and stay south side, especially when they`ll take 2 days out of their holiday to get south. Yes, the south rivers have a lot going for them, so i can`t understand why more people (who as mentioned above venture south regularly) flatly refuse to hire on the south side in the first place?. Regards to all ....................... Neil.

You can take ANY boat out to sea in the right conditions, even a rowing boat or canoe. However, those conditions could change very quickly, so you will need to plan very carefully. Also, you may not be covered under your insurance for estuary/coastal, especially on what is essnsially a "river cruiser". It`s also worth remembering that although your boat may do 7-8 knots on the broads, if there`s even a slight swell or motion when coastal, that speed will probably be drastically reduced, rendering your chances of a quick bolt to a safe haven impossible. If yo are interrested in taking you boat coastal, get in touch with Griff (Broad Ambition) as he`s done it, and at night, and in a swell, so he should be well placed to give you some advice.

We had exactly that problem when we hired a twilight from Herbert Woods. I had the aft en-suite, and when i had a shower, i stepped into the cabin and got wet feet. The door was a standard square door, but with squared edges, and no drip channel. When the shower curtain (which i forgot to mention was about 3 inches too short) got wet, it simply clinged to the door allowing the water to run straight into the cabin (i also forgot to mention the toilet door actually shut ONTO, and not INTO the cabin side of the bulkhead). And yes, there actually WAS a puddle of water in the corner. If i was making your door Allan, i`d make it square, with an inward bevelled edge ( lowest edge in the shower compartment), AND also as an extra precaution, an angled drip strp on the inside bottom face. On many of the boats i`ve hired from Maffetts have had this, and we never had any leakage.

Hi Fluff, you don`t say how many of you are goping. I can definitely vouch for Maffetts, having been with them most years since 79, and they are a fantastic small indipendent family run yard. They have a new (to their fleet) boat this year which is not on their website, but is available from Saturdays, though if you only want it for 4 nights, and it`s available, they might be happy to do a deal. Allan (JawsO) has given their website address, but all their bookings and availability is done over the phone, so give them a call on 01508 520344, and ask for Lynda. If they can`t help, try Freedom boating from Thorpe, Andy (the owner) often posts on here, and has openly said they can be extremely flexible with no of nights and start/finish days, Also consider Pacific Cruisers, which alo at Loddon (next door to Maffetts) They may just have a boat available, even if it`s bigger than you need, they may be interrested in doing a deal. All three of them are small indipendently run family yards, so you`ll be garunteed a friendly and personal service It`s worth considering a slightly bigger boat than you need, providing you can get a decent deal, as at least they`re getting something, whereas a boat in base is costing them and not you. I hope this helps. Regards and best wishes ........................ Neil. PS, i forgot to add, all three yards are on the Southern rivers, which mean you can do the south mon-fri, then stay north from Ricco`s.

Ah, good advice to those that need it Howard. Personally i`ve always stood by the addage "tell the truth and shame the devil".

Has there ever been a pub Howard HAS`NT endorsed, he has been in a few :naughty: .

Although i now live down here in VERY sunny dorset, i hail from Kent too. I was born in a little village called Birling just outside Snodland, moved to Gravesend, then to Kingswood near Leeds Castle, then back to Northfleet. 8 years ago, i moved down here permanently. We do still go up to Kent to see family, but not as often as i`d like to. Next time we go, i`l have a look at Jaws Orca`s (Allan) boat in Hoo. Maybe we should all arrange a Kentish forum meet some day?.

Whatever i`d expect Matt, it WOULD`NT be the RNLI, or any service from 3 counties away not related to fire fighting, just the local firebrigade, and police if nessecary. With our emergency services being stretched to the limit already, where`s the justification in taking them from other counties where they may be needed at the same time, especially when there was no mention or threat whatsoever of any fire. And while we`re on the subject, why did there have to be not one, but 2 coastgard rescue teams, not to mention the Hazardous rescue team from Colchester. As for it being easy to critisize in hindsight, many people have been critical of the incorrect use of emergency services for many years, so why are they still not learning from years of mistakes?. I`ve still got my crash helmet on.................

Hi Strow, There`s been many many incidents and occurrancies in the past where the emergency services "proffessionalism" ha been called into question, and when you read the article where it states that emergency services of different kinds had come from the Suffolk coast, as far away as Essex, and with numerous fire appliances in attendance, it makes me (and some others) ask the question "what were all they doing there", when local services such as Police, along with thier marine rescue unit or the Broads based RNLI service, and the Ambulance service should have been sufficient, and dare i say it, a more efficient use of the publics emergency services. That in itself questions their proffesionalism. Regards to all, and wearing my crash helmet ready for replies ................. Neil.

So what was the outcome Alan, all good i hope?.

Hi Alan, One bit of advice i was given when i painted my boat was to do all painting and varnishing in the morning. You posted above about painting in the evening, the only problem being that during the evening, condensation can settle, and ruin your hard work. Great to see she`s coming along nicely too.

I seem to remember reading in the RC45 thread that you WERE`NT going to sell sets of mouldings for outside completion Clive, have you had a change of heart?.

Thia is very sad news indeed, but i have to say, i continue to fail to understand why so MANY other rescue services from many miles away should be involved?. I also question why the yacht station should be closed for so long?. Please don`t get me wrong anybody, i know this is very sad, but i can`t help thinking this is a glowing example of these services trying to be seen to be "doing the right thing", but could in fact have a more negative effect on the nessecary investigations or enquiry. It all seems to be more than just a bit overkill, and let`s not forget, all the time these outside services are many miles from their own home bases, there`s always the possibility that somebody somewhere could be in more urgent need of them locally. As has been said above, someone somewhere has lost a family member and loved one, and my sympathies go out to them all.

Been there, seen there, done there many times. Karen and i live in East Dorset, so Devon is an ideal place for a long weekend. I decided to treat Karen to a weekend away for her Birthday 9 years ago, as she worked very hard helping me get my flat re-decorated to sell, in rediness to buy our cbungalow where we are now. I`d only ever been to Devon once before that, and that was to Totnes to scatter my friends dads ashes on the Tamar, so did`nt know where to go, or what to look at. I phones the Tourist information centre in Paingnton, asking for advice on Hotels for the weekend, and booked up one called "Roundham Lodge" on the Roundham Peninsula. When we arrived that evening, i noticed a picture of Loddon Staithe on the reception wall. When i asked why it was there, the ;ady (Vivien) told me they used to own and live in Loddon Mill. As a result, we had quite a long conversation in reception, and then discovered they owned the white house on the south bank of the Yare between Reedham ferry and the mouth of the Chet, which when they owned it, was a pub. It eventually turned out they used to run a buisness supplying the boatyards and leisure industries, but got out when hirefleets started to close. We`ve been down there several times since, but have`nt been for a couple of years, but they were trying to sell the hotel and retire, so maybe it`s now under new ownership. We went to Hope Cove last time we were there, and loved the place. We`ve also been to Greenways, (Agatha Christie`s house) and "Colton Fishacre" which was the home of the family who used to own the "Doily Carte Opera Company". The South Hams is a stunning area for a holiday, and i hope you all had a great time, despite the weather and traffic problems. Which wa did you go Alan, M1 M66 M6 M5?. If so, that`s one long laborious and sare i say it, tedious drive. Sorry Kadensa, i typed this post before i read yours?.

Quite so Strow, In October 77 we hired a Seamaster 25 called "Gold Pieces" from Buccaneer boats in Brundall which had a V drive. As you rightly say, it meant there was no engine box near the cabin door, so made access and space much better, with no ingress into the cabin requiring a large step etc. I`ve often wondered why this arrangement was NOT more popular on hire boats, as living space is always a good advert. It also meant the aft bench seat was warm to sit on, for a while anyway. Regards to all ........................ Neil.

Thinking along the same lines as John, why not see if one of the marinas in Brundall have a visitor mooring, or one that`s not occupied that they could let you use for a night or two?. If i lived up there, i`d taxi you myself, but then Dorset is already far enough away.

Hi Dave, Nice to meet you last weekend, and yes the maggotts worked very well. I did get that multi tool from next door which proved to be a godsend. matey, and hope to see you possibly in late October, or early November. Regards to all ................... Neil.

Hi Marshman, there`s no need to say sorry, you`re only putting forward your point of view, is`nt that what this forum is all about?. Sadly, (in my opinion only), ALL these authorities appear to be trying to look good in political ways, by trying do what they think higher authorities want them all to do by getting mixed up in other responsibilities. Personally i`d rather they all stuck to what they SHOULD be doing and stop getting involved in other authorities responsibilities.

Hi All, Just got back fromn a great week afloat on Kestrel. I`d like to make a few points, Having cruised up and down the Waveney in the last 2 days, i saw quite a few new looking fishing platforms on the riverbank, which were all empty, but just upriver at the BA 24 hour free moorings, plenty of fishermen to be found. As far as rubbish collection is concerned, yes, primarily, it`s the responsibility of the local authority, but it`s also up to the BA to ensure the rivers and broads are free from rubbish. If it`s floating, which we saw quite a bit of last week, it`s the responsibility of the BA to remove it it, and dispose of it properly. I totally agree that land based rubbish collection should have nothing to do with the BA, but as i`ve been told many times, the BA`s authority stretches beyond just navigation areas, namely the rivers and broads. So who`s right, if the BA`s authority DOES stretch way beyond the rivers and broads, does that then mean they share equal responsbility for rubbish collection?, and seeing as they`ve part funded various fishing projects, do they actually have authority to check fishing licences?. Personally, i don`t think they should, because as mentioned above, it`s just 2 other areas where our toll many is being spent wrongly. Imagine how much money could be saved purely on the beaurocratic side of things, as well as the need to stop patrolling the rivers because they wish to check someones rod license. Regards to all ....................... Neil.

OK John, we`ll see you then, we`ll give you a call just before we arrive. 5.00am will soon be here, then it`s off at 6. Yyiiiiiiiippppppppeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

Can we drop it off to you on the way, as we`re going the M11/ A11 route again?. We`ll probably be passing around10am ish.

I`ve known a few dipsticks in my time John.

Hi all, Although i`m not exactly sure where we`ll be going, we often head North for the first few days, so am wondering what time slack water is at Gt Yarmouth this weekend. Depending on what time everybody gets there, we may risk running up to Acle or Thurne on Friday afternoon / evening if the tide and timing allows?.

Sorry for any confusion folks, Yes, we are definitely going to be afloat from THIS Friday 20th June for a week. Not exactly where or which way we will go yet, as 9 of us (well 7 adults anyway) will have to agree a plan. It`s also recently dawned on me that with 2 toddlers along, we`ll be heading for places where they can enjoy themselves. John, (Hockham Admiral), are you going to be afloat on Friday, if so whereabouts, as we have something for you, and can drop it off before we get to Loddon. Also, if anybody is in Loddon on friday, we`ll be having lunch at Rosie Leas (wherelse?) around noon+. Less than 48 hours now. Regards to all ........................ Neil.